Ron Turner talks during a news conference in January, when he signed a five-year deal as Florida International's football coach. / Joe Rimkus Jr., AP

by Scott Gleeson, USA TODAY Sports

by Scott Gleeson, USA TODAY Sports

Former NFL coach Ron Turner's reintroduction to the college game is not off to a great start.

The former Illinois coach was hired in January to turn around a Florida International program that finished 3-9 in 2012. The Golden Panthers are preparing for their first season in Conference USA.

Turner's attention to detail has now moved off the field. Turner released a statement, obtained by USA TODAY Sports on Friday, to address an "incident" that involved several of his FIU players changing their clothes in public.

The team had been working out as part of its summer conditioning program and had a barbecue on Crandon Park Beach in Key Biscayne, Fla.

Turner explained the rest in the statement:

"Following the workout, some of our athletes went to rinse off at a designated public shower area and a few of them made a poor decision and changed their clothes in public.

"I want to apologize to the community and anyone who was at the beach this morning for this unfortunate incident. We are committed to helping our student athletes grow as gentlemen while preparing them for their careers."

Turner said the school was looking into the incident and would take disciplinary action if deemed appropriate.

Scott Gleeson, a national college sports writer/producer for USA TODAY Sports, is on Twitter @ScottMGleeson.